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Friday, June 22, 2007

With Or Without You by Carole Matthews

Carole Matthews
Romantic Comedy/Chic Lit/Women's Lit
ISBN-10: 0-373-89545-3
Red Dress Inkhttp://eharlequin.comwww.carolematthews.com
International best selling author Carole Matthews delivers a heart-warming tale of personal growth and rediscovery in With or Without You.
In the heroine’s misdirected attempt to make herself irresistible to an
ex-lover, the hiatus from her comfort zone sets in motion a
transformation process, to which the reader is given a front row seat.
What ensues is quite different from the cookie cutter romance many
readers might expect based on the cover art. From the detailed
exploration of one woman’s emotional and cultural awakening, to the
quick wit and what goes around comes around karma, With or Without You is a well written novel that’s a pleasure to read!Whether because her sister, Edie, is a
regular fertile myrtle with six children, her position at a baby
magazine or because she envisions the clicking of some demonic
biological clock, Lyssa is convinced that her very happiness depends on
the changes that accompany having a baby. Jake, her live-in-boyfriend of
fours years, was making plans for big changes too, but his didn’t
include a baby or Lyssa. Needless to say she is shocked when after a
fourth failed invitro attempt she expected to be consoled, instead, he
announces his need for space, walks out, and closes the door to their
relationship. This wasn’t a temporary split….she had been dumped! And
for Jake’s adventure seeking coworker that’s evidently perfect in every
way and climbs Everest in her free-time. Lyssa decides, anything Neve
can do, she can do better! If climbing a mountain is what Jake wants –
she will climb the mountain, regain her man and live happily ever after.
After taking a leave of absence and making the necessary arrangements,
she trades her stilettos for hiking boots and heads off for a month long
trek that will bring her into the most remote villages of Nepal. Lyssa
finds much more than she ever anticipated, for starters, her gorgeous,
American tour guide Dean! During her journey of self-discovery, she
begins to re-evaluate her priorities, as well as the direction of her
life. For the first time she sees all that had been missing, not only
from her relationship with Jake, but her life in general. Returning to
Britain, she is filled with new found confidence, as well as, a bit of
trepidation. For what began as an act of revenge had effected change in
every aspect of her life, the enormity of which expanded her emotionally
and culturally. Could she go back? Would she?

Developing the central character as part
of the main plot line puts the reader at the table, as an invisible
guest and can be a risky literary move. Yet, in Matthews capable hands,
the story reads as if being shared between girlfriends over lunch, a
true testament to the author’s imagination and ability to convey depth
and dimension. The reader experiences a wide array of conflicting
emotions throughout the novel. While in the beginning Lyssa appears weak
and difficult leading you to feel empathy for Jake, this changes
dramatically as facts are revealed. The journey presented by Matthews is
entertaining and thought provoking, filled with everything an astute
reader of contemporary romance could ask for. If you’re headed to the
beach or just enjoy a good read on a lazy Summer Saturday, take this one
“with you”!Happy Reading!

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